Indulge in a culinary journey with our comprehensive guide to the world's best macaroni and cheese recipes. From classic stovetop creations to innovative oven-baked delights, our collection caters to every taste and skill level. Discover the secrets to achieving the perfect balance of creamy cheese sauce, al dente pasta, and golden-brown crust. Explore variations that incorporate unique ingredients, such as bacon, lobster, and truffle oil, elevating this comfort food to gourmet status. Whether you prefer a simple weeknight meal or a showstopping dish for special occasions, our diverse selection of recipes promises to satisfy your cravings.
Let's cook with our recipes!
BEST-EVER MACARONI AND CHEESE
In the South, mac 'n cheese is like everyone's favorite aunt-and this best-ever recipe beats out the rest.
Provided by Southern Living Test Kitchen
Categories Casserole
Time 1h10m
Yield Serves 10
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare pasta according to package directions for al dente.
- Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium. Add next 6 ingredients; cook, stirring, 30 seconds. Add flour, and cook, stirring, until golden, 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in milk and cream. Bring to a boil, whisking occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer, whisking, until slightly thickened, 5 minutes. Stir in Worcestershire sauce. Remove from heat; stir in 3/4 cup each of shredded Cheddar cheeses until melted. (Reserve remaining 1/4 cup each of shredded cheeses.) Stir in pasta and diced cheeses; pour into a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch (3-quart) baking dish.
- Bake on a rimmed baking sheet in preheated oven until bubbly and golden, 30 minutes. Remove from oven; increase oven temperature to broil. Sprinkle with reserved shredded cheeses; broil 6 inches from heat until cheeses are melted and golden, about 2 minutes. Remove from oven; cool slightly on a wire rack, about 15 minutes.
"WORLD'S BEST" MACARONI & CHEESE
We tasted this in Seattle at the Pike Place Market in the Beecher's store. It is the best! I had to get their recipe and I found it on the internet; It is a very rich creamy comfort food. I do not have Beecher's cheese so I improvised with what is available and it came out as tasty as the original. Serve this with a crisp salad. Enjoy!
Provided by Sageca
Categories Cheese
Time 1h15m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350; F. Set a large pot of water on high heat.
- Meanwhile, begin the sauce by making a roux: in a medium saucepan melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour. Continue to stir this roux over medium heat for two to three minutes.
- The roux should be cooked and free of the flour flavor but still light in color.
- Gradually add milk, whisking briskly to maintain a smooth sauce.
- Cook the sauce for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to avoid scorching.
- When sauce thickens, add cheeses, salt and spices to the sauce, and stir until all the cheese has melted. I make my sauces in the microwave; turns out great and never scorches.
- Somewhere during this sauce-cooking process, your pasta water has started boiling. The original is made with Penne noodles. Add a generous amount of salt to the water and cook the pasta until almost but not quite al dente (two minutes before the package directions indicate). You want barely undercooked pasta so that it can finish in the oven later. Halt the cooking by draining the pasta and rinsing with cold water. Return pasta to pot.
- Pour sauce over pasta and stir until completely incorporated. The combination should be fairly saucy, almost soupy.
- Dish the mixture into a buttered 9-13 pan and sprinkle with extra grated cheeses and cayenne. Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes, until you have beautiful, browned edges. Those edges will be a welcome and flavorful addition to each serving.
- Let the dish sit for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. I divided this in 2 containers and froze one.
WORLD'S BEST MAC AND CHEESE
It's a bold claim, but this mac and cheese from Kurt Beecher Dammeier's "Pure Flavor" cookbook is that good. Three types of cheese-cheddar, Gruyere, and Jack-add plenty of richness, while a touch of chipotle-chile powder imbues the dish with a subtle smoky flavor.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Pasta and Grains
Time 45m
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter or oil an 8-inch baking dish; set aside.
- Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 2 minutes less than package directions. Drain into a colander and rinse under cold water until cool, then drain again.
- Stir together pasta and cheese sauce until well combined. Pour into prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with cheeses and chile powder. Bake, uncovered, until lightly browned in places, about 20 minutes. Let stand at least 5 minutes before serving.
"WORLD'S BEST" MAC AND CHEESE
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350˚F. Butter or oil an 8-inch baking dish.
- Cook the penne 2 minutes less than package directions. (It will finish cooking in the oven.) Rinse the pasta in cold water and set aside.
- Combine the cooked pasta and the sauce in a medium bowl and mix carefully but thoroughly. Scrape the pasta into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the top with the cheeses and then the chili powder.
- Bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Let the mac and cheese sit for 5 minutes before serving.
- Beecher's Flagship Cheese Sauce
- Melt the butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat and whisk in the flour. Continue whisking and cooking for 2 minutes.
- Slowly add the milk, whisking constantly. Cook until the sauce thickens, about 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from the heat.
- Add the cheeses, salt, chili powder, and garlic powder. Stir until the cheese is melted and all ingredients are incorporated, about 3 minutes. Use immediately, or refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- This sauce reheats nicely on the stove in a saucepan over low heat. Stir frequently so the sauce doesn't scorch.
- Make Ahead
- This recipe can be assembled before baking and frozen for up to 3 months-just be sure to use a freezer-to-oven pan and increase the baking time to 50 minutes.
- notes
- One-half teaspoon of chipotle chili powder makes a spicy mac, so make sure your family and friends can handle it!
- The proportion of pasta to cheese sauce is crucial to the success of the dish. It will look like a lot of sauce for the pasta, but some of the liquid will be absorbed.
Tips:
- Use quality cheese: Opt for a good quality, sharp cheddar cheese for a rich and flavorful mac and cheese. Use a mix of cheddar and Parmesan cheese for a more complex flavor profile.
- Cook the macaroni perfectly: Cook the macaroni al dente according to the package instructions to ensure it retains its texture and doesn't become mushy when combined with the cheese sauce.
- Make a creamy cheese sauce: Use a combination of butter, flour, and milk to create a smooth and creamy cheese sauce. Add a touch of Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce for extra flavor.
- Add extra ingredients: Feel free to add other ingredients to your mac and cheese to customize it to your taste. Popular additions include cooked bacon, diced ham, sautéed mushrooms, or roasted vegetables.
- Top it off with a crispy crust: Sprinkle some bread crumbs or crushed crackers on top of the mac and cheese before baking it to create a golden brown, crispy crust.
Conclusion:
By following these tips, you can create a delicious and comforting mac and cheese dish that is perfect for any occasion. Experiment with different cheeses, ingredients, and toppings to create your own unique recipe. Whether you prefer a classic mac and cheese or a more elaborate version, this versatile dish is sure to please everyone at the table.
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